224 REARING. 



CROPPING, BRANDING, AND ROUNDING. 



If terriers are to be cropped, the beginning or end of the fourth 

 month is the best time to choose ; and, before sending out to walk, 

 hounds are branded with the initials of the master or of the hunt, 

 a hot iron shaped like the letter itself being used. Both cropping 

 and rounding require practice to perform them well, a large sharp 

 pair of scissors being used, and care being necessary to hold the 

 two layers of skin in the ear in their natural position, to prevent 

 the one rolling on the other, and thvis leaving one larger than the 

 other. Foxhounds have so much work in covert that rounding is 

 imperatively called for to prevent the ears from being torn, and 

 it always has been adopted as a universal practice, different 

 huntsmen varying in the quantity removed. Some people after 

 cutting one ear lay the piece removed on the other, and so mark 

 exactly the amount which is to be removed from it ; but this is a 

 clumsy expedient, and, if the eye is not good enough to direct the 

 hand without this measurement, the operation will seldom be 

 effected to the satisfaction of the owner of the dog. It is usual 

 to round foxhound puppies after they come in from their walks ; 

 but it would be far better to perform the operation before their 

 return, as it only makes them more sulky and unhappy than they 

 otherwise would be, and is a poor introduction to their new 

 masters. The men could easily go round to the different walks 

 during the summer, and it would insure a supervision which is 

 often required. 



